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Ford Unveils the All-Electric Transit Connect

It’s no longer a secret that electric cars are here to stay. This green technology might save us the trouble of going to the gas station, but it has a range problem at the moment. But as long as long as you have well-defined routs, the EV is ideal. Ford understood that and applied the technology to one of its small vans, creating the Transit Connect Electric.

The all electric version of the Ford Transit Connect will be unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show. The van uses a Force Drive electric powertrain manufactured and integrated by specialty upfitter Azure Dynamics.

“Transit Connect Electric exemplifies how we are leveraging our relationships as well as our hybrid and advanced powertrain programs to bring energy-efficient technologies from the laboratory to the street," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "Not only is this an ideal vehicle for eco-conscious fleet operators, it is an important part of Ford's future."

The Transit Connect Electric has a 80 miles range when fully charged and can be recharged at any 240-volt or 120-volt outlet. The EV is programmed to go into production in 2010, while more Ford electric vehicles will be on the market by 2012: the Focus Electric in 2011, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in 2012 and a next-generation hybrid in 2012.

"We're excited about the potential for our electrified vehicles,"
said Praveen Cherian, program manager for the Transit Connect Electric, who added that today's electric vehicle buyers are similar to early adopters of hybrid vehicles. "People were a little hesitant about hybrid technology at first, but now they accept it and embrace it. We expect the same will be true of electric vehicles."
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